Wikitravel has a general article about packing lists, but traveling on cruise ships can be very different from other modes of travel. You'll probably be sleeping in the same room cabin for the whole trip, so the need to "pack light" might not be as great as it would be if you were schlepping your bags from city to city. But the environment of a cruise ship is an unusual one, with some atypical requirements of what to bring... and not to bring.

These suggestions make most sense if you're cruising somewhere sunny. Depending on your destination and how you like to travel, some of the items may not be useful to you, and there are inevitably additional items you'll want to bring along. But this should give you some ideas about how to pack. (Please keep in mind that we want this guide to be useful to people in general, so don't try to turn it into your own personal packing list.)

Contents

Wear

underwear, socks - They may not take up much space individually, but they can add up to fill a lot of luggage. Check to see if laundry service is available on the ship (and at what cost) to cut down the quantity you have to bring.

short-sleeved shirts, shorts - If you're sun-bound, these will be the staple of your day-time wardrobe. Depending on the formality of the cruise, you may want shirts with collars. If you're planning to go ashore, consider whether you want the shirts you wear to announce that you're a tourist.

comfortable slacks/skirt - You probably won't want to wear shorts all the time, though, even if you do have good-looking legs. Khakis are nicely versatile: casual with a short-sleeve shirt but semi-formal with a coat and tie. A simple skirt can fill the same niche for women.

formal wear - Most cruises treat at least one dinner of the voyage as a formal affair, and some encourage or expect you to dress up for dinner every night. If you'll be dressing up nightly, men may be able to get by with just an assortment of ties and perhaps a few dress shirts or a couple jackets.

comfortable walking shoes - They're not critically important for on deck, but for excursions ashore make sure your feet will be prepared for whatever the terrain you'll find there.

windbreaker - Even in the tropics it can get rather cool on deck at night, especially in the ocean breezes.

swimsuit - It's ironic that you'll never touch most of the water you see, but medium- to large-sized cruise ships will almost always have an onboard swimming (or lounging) pool or several, and it's a great way to cool off if the weather's hot. Swimming in regular shorts (or without!) is often not permitted.

Sleep

travel alarm clock - You're on vacation, so you may not mind sleeping in. But if your room doesn't have a window, and especially if you've changed time zones, you may not see the daylight and sleep too late to get breakfast in the dining room. Also useful for making it to dinner on time for your seating if you don't wear a watch.

Buy

empty tote bag - To come back with less in your bags than when you left is almost unheard of. So if you pack tightly on the way out, you'll need something to put your purchases and/or souvenirs in on the way home.

money - Some cruises encourage cash tipping of the dining room and housekeeping staff at the end of the voyage; this is often a major source of their income. Bring along enough cash in the right denominations to leave for each of them. The currency of the country from which you embark will probably be most convenient for them, but any major currency will do. Shipboard expenses not included in the price of the cruise (e.g. drinks, excursion, photos) can usually be charged to your account for payment when you leave, but for shore excursions you should carry traveler's checks, a credit card, and/or some local currency. Gambling at the ship's casino also requires cash in order to avoid a 3% surcharge.

Stay healthy and safe

sunglasses, sun screen, hat - Even if you plan to spend your time on-deck in the shade, the sunlight reflected off the waves will still affect you. Granted, you probably want to return home with enough tan to prompt questions about your trip, but don't underestimate how a sunburn can spoil your trip... and your skin tone 10 or 20 years from now.

aspirin, anti-diarrhea medicine, other basic medications - You can get this sort of thing onboard, but it'll probably be overpriced.

motion-sickness medicine/bracelet - You may not need this, but don't assume that you won't. It isn't a question of willpower or healthfulness; some people just react poorly to the motion of a ship at sea, even if they don't notice it consciously. There are over-the-counter pills you can take as needed, prescription stick-on patches for ongoing treatment, and bracelets that (according to those who use them) effectively suppress the symptoms of motion sickness.

insurance card - The ship's doctor probably won't hesitate to treat you (billing services to your account, and letting you sort things out with your health insurance provider), and many countries have policies requiring treatment of emergency patients, but it never hurts to have proof that you have insurance, and if you're really lucky they'll bill the company directly.

ID card/passport - Even if the Immigration officials at the countries you're visiting don't require a passport to visit from your country, it certainly doesn't hurt to have official documentation of your citizenship.

See and Do

camera, film/memory card - Even if you're not a shutterbug, snapshots are one of the cheapest and best souvenirs of your trip. "Disposable" cameras can provide reasonably good images, but if you plan to travel much it's worth investing in an inexpensive reusable camera for more predictable results. Digital cameras are now comparable in picture quality to film cameras.

power strip or outlet tap - There is likely only one electrical outlet in the bathroom and one in the stateroom. That may not be convenient if charging and/or powering several items.

notepad and pen for journal - Even less expensive than photographs and even more personal, a journal can help you relive your adventure years later.

handheld GPS unit - Rather than bugging the crew, a GPS unit can tell where you are and how far until the next port.

family radio service portables - These "walkie-talkies" make it much easier for families and others to communicate on large ships. Some cruise lines now rent them.

This is a usable article. It touches on all the major areas of the topic. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!